SOUTHPOINTE, Pa., May 24, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- ANSYS, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANSS), a global innovator of simulation software and technologies designed to optimize product development processes, today announced a four year Official Supplier contract with Team Alinghi, the Swiss sailing team leveraging ANSYS' integrated simulation solutions as a key component of its strategy to defend the America's Cup in 2007.

Team Alinghi now is placing even greater demands on virtual prototyping tools because the design rules for this competition have undergone significant changes, and the number of variables affecting the boat's performance has changed dramatically. In turn, Team Alinghi is relying upon ANSYS products and services for its system-level computer modeling and simulation needs. In addition to implementing ANSYS Workbench and ANSYS Mechanical, Team Alinghi also plans to use ANSYS computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools such as ANSYS ICEM CFD and CFX-5.

"We have used multiple simulation tools from different suppliers in the past, but after seeing the breadth and depth of ANSYS' integrated technology capabilities, we realized this was the ideal match for us," said Grant Simmer, design coordinator at Team Alinghi. "Since the design simulation throughput and accuracy for rapid iterations of experimentation and ensuing design modifications will be key in securing our second America's Cup in 2007, ANSYS was the obvious choice."

Furthermore, Team Alinghi's success partly depends upon arriving at an innovative and novel design that will outperform competitors under multiple and uncertain environmental conditions. ANSYS' multi-physics-based integrated solutions will allow Team Alinghi to achieve this feat quickly and economically. The multi-disciplinary coupling attribute of the ANSYS solution is used specifically in the design of the mast and keel fin. ANSYS' mechanical solutions are used extensively to analyze the composite structures in the Team Alinghi yachts. ANSYS ICEM CFD and CFX will be used to study the various underwater components and the mast/sail interaction.

"This relationship is an outstanding opportunity for ANSYS to become involved with a high-profile sports event that challenges teams not only for their sailing skills but also on the ability to design and engineer the most optimal design," said Joe Fairbanks, vice president of global sales and support at ANSYS, Inc. "We are excited about the opportunity and confident that our proven and robust set of technologies will help Team Alinghi defend its title in 2007."

About Alinghi

Team Alinghi was formed in 2000. Three years later, Alinghi won the America's Cup against Team New Zealand (5-0) and became the first team to win the America's Cup on its first attempt. Thanks to this victory, the Cup is back in Europe for the first time in 152 years.

Team Alinghi is an international team based in Switzerland. It carries the colors of the yacht club, Societe Nautique de Geneve. UBS, Infonet, Audemars-Piguet, SGS and Nespresso are its proud sponsors, alongside official suppliers that include ANSYS, Inc.

Ernesto Bertarelli, CEO of Serono Intl. SA, is the principal behind Alinghi. Bertarelli is also a member of the sailing team, acting as navigator. Team Alinghi's vision is to "win the America's Cup 2007, earn respect and recognition as a world class sports team, while sharing its passion for sailing." Alinghi will be proactive in developing the Class and the America's Cup event. The team will participate in many events leading up to the next Cup.

About ANSYS, Inc.

ANSYS, Inc., founded in 1970, develops and globally markets engineering simulation software and technologies widely used by engineers and designers across a broad spectrum of industries. ANSYS focuses on the development of open and flexible solutions that enable users to analyze designs directly on the desktop, providing a common platform for fast, efficient and cost- conscious product development, from design concept to final-stage testing and validation. Headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, with more than 25 strategic sales locations throughout the world, ANSYS, Inc. employs approximately 550 people and distributes its products through a network of channel partners in 40 countries. Visit www.ansys.com for more information.

ANSYS, ANSYS DesignSpace, CFX, DesignModeler, DesignXplorer, ANSYS Workbench Environment, AI*Environment, CADOE and any and all ANSYS, Inc. product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of subsidiaries of ANSYS, Inc. located in the United States or other countries. ICEM CFD is a trademark licensed by ANSYS, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE ANSYS, Inc.

Kelly Wall, Corporate Communications of ANSYS, Inc., +1-724-514-3076, or kelly.wall@ansys.com